1962

What was going on in 1962?

By today's standards we didn't earn much, medium family income was $6,000 per year and the minimum hourly wage was $1.25. On the other hand, prices were much different. A new house cost $15,000, a gallon of gas 25¢, and a local phone call from a pay phone was 10¢.

On television we were watching new comedies such as The Beverly Hillbillies, McHale’s Navy and the Lucy Show. Johnny Carson hosted his first Tonight Show and the Osmond brothers debuted on the Andy Williams show. Color television was becoming available with series such as ABC’s The Jetsons and you could watch it on your $400 color television set. Jim Carrey, Tom Cruise, Jodi Foster and Demi Moore were just being born.

Shopping was beginning to change with the first K-Mart and Walmart opening. In the factories, industrial robots were introduced to perform repetitive manufacturing tasks.

Advances in Space

John Glenn was the first American to orbit Earth on the Friendship 7 while Telstar was the first geosynchronous communications satellite launched allowing transatlantic TV transmission via satellite.

In the medical arena the Senate rejected medicare for the aged. Dr. Frances Kelsey of the Food and Drug Administration (pictured left) lead the battle to end distribution of the morning sickness drug thalidomide, which was found to cause horrific birth defects. Doctor's office visits costs $5.

Music was great. Big Girls Don't Cry (The Four Seasons), Duke of Earl (Gene Chandler), I Can't Stop Loving You (Ray Charles) and Soldier Boy (The Shirelles) were top singles. The Isley Brothers released "Twist & Shout," The Beach Boys released "Surfin Safari," Peter, Paul & Mary had their first hit, "If I had a Hammer," The Beatles released their first record, "Love Me Do," the Rolling Stones had their first performance (Marquee Club, London) and the West Side Story soundtrack album went to number one. On the dance floor, the "Mashed Potato" and the "Watusi" hit the scene.

In the sports world, the Green Bay Packers beat the New York Giants 16-7 in the NFL championship game. While playing for the Philadelphia Warriors, Wilt Chamberlain (pictured left) scored an incredible 100 points in an NBA game against the New York Knicks. Phil Knight developed the first Nike running shoe.